|
|
 |
Deutsche Wappen (Gemeindewappen/Kreiswappen)
German Civic Heraldry
|
|
ESSEN
State : Nordrhein-Westfalen
Urban District (Stadtkreis) : Essen
Additions : 1901 Altendorf, Frohnhausen, Holsterhausen; 1905 Rüttenscheid; 1908 Huttrop; 1910 Bergerhausen, Fullerum, Rellinghausen; 1915 Altenessen; Bedingrade, Bergeborbeck, Bochold, Borbeck (partly), Bredeny, Dellwig, Frintrop, Gerschede, Haarzopf, Margarethenhöhe, Schönebeck, Schuir; 1929 Byfang, Fischlaken, Freisenbruch, Frillendorf, Heidhausen, Heisingen, Horst, Karnap, Katernberg, Kray, Kupferdreh, Leithe, Schonnebeck,
Steele, Stoppenberg, Überruhr, Werden (1915 Unterbredeney); 1970 Altendorf/Ruhr; 1974 Kettwig
Other arms in Essen : Stadtkern, Vogelheim
Origin/meaning:
The arms of Essen are unique, as they show a two shields under a single crown. The original arms, a shield with a sword, are known since 1399, but were rarely used. The seal of the city, dating from the 1240s showed the Virgin Mary together with the patron saints of the city, St. Cosmas and Damianus. Later seals showed a single saint in a gate.
The great seal of Essen (source : Diederich, 1984)
In 1623 the German Emperor granted the city the right to use the Imperial Eagle. Normally the shield would be divided or the original arms were placed on the eagle (see f.e. Aalen or, in Holland, Nijmegen). This never officially happened in Essen, although sometimes both arms are combined in a single shield in books and maps. The crown indicates the foundation of the freedom of the monastery (with the rank of Prince) in 852. The arms were granted in 1886.
 
Seals from around 1900
|
 
Images of the arms from around 1900
|
The arms as shown in the Coffee Hag albums from the 1920s
|
Literature : Stadler, 1964-1971, 8 volumes; Kaffee Hag albums 1920s.
|
|
coats of arms on-line ! 
